The New York Jets are without Elijah McGuire for the next three to six weeks, but they bring in George Atkinson to pick up the slack.
Per a recent report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Jets will be without second-year running back Elijah McGuire for three to six weeks after suffering a broken foot. The injury will require surgery, according to the report.
Jets’ RB Elijah McGuire will undergo surgery on his broken foot this week and is expected to be out 3-6 weeks, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2018
The team announced the signing of George Atkinson III as a corresponding move per reports from ProFootbalTalk’s Josh Alper.
McGuire had a solid rookie campaign last season, running for 315 yards and one touchdown. He was a sixth-round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette. McGuire was expected to see time this year as the team’s third-string running back. He appeared as a dual threat of the backfield at times last season; he caught 17 of 26 targets for 177 yards and a touchdown.
Atkinson III is the son of former Oakland Raider safety George Atkinson. He played college football at Notre Dame, where he was also on the track and field team. He went undrafted and signed with the Raiders in 2014. He has bounced around the league since then; he has also spent time in Cleveland and Kansas City. He spent last season on the Chiefs’ practice squad.
Atkinson III joins a crowded backfield in a battle for the Jet’s third-string running back spot. He will split time with Thomas Rawls and Trenton Cannon in training camp for that final spot. The Jets have also been rumored to have met with former Giants running back Orleans Darkwa and former two-time Pro Bowler Alfred Morris.